Magnetic-clutch-controlling method and apparatus.



K. E. PEILER. MAGNETIC CLUTCH CONTROLLING METHOD AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED nc. 16. 1915.

1,297,236 Patented Mar. 11,1919.

4f 27 x I z ao '6 At'y.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

v .KARL E. PEILER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO HARTFORDFAIRMONT COMPANY, OF CANAJ'OHARIE, NEW YORK, A CORPOR.'.1ION OF NEWYORK.

I MAGNETICCLUTCH-CONTROLLING METHOD AND APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

Application filed December 16, 1915. Serial No. 67,103.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KARL E. PEILER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented. new and-useful Improvements inMagnetic-Clutch-Gontroltion alternately seize-and release each other,

the magnet being adapted to have a definite holding power, so as torelease whenever the armature and overcoming the inertia of the latterand its connected parts. Hence when these parts are heavy, or theirmovements extended; or when the magnet operations are repeated in rapidsuccession, an electric current, suliicient for the required ultimateholding force of the magnet,'may be insufficient to cause the magnetto'seize and move its armature with sufficient rapidity and certainty.This letardation in building up the attractive power of the magnet issometimes termed magneticlag. The practical efi'ect is that theimmediate seizing capacity of a magnet, using a given current is notequal to the ultimate holding capacityof the same magnet under the samecurrent.

The object of this invention is to provide for controlling magneticclutches under such conditions, varying the electric energy sup-.

plied to the magnet to adapt its seizing and holding powers toits-required functions, in properly timed relation to the performance ofthose functions. v

Among the uses for which these magnetic clutches are employed, may beinstanced that of the pressing of glassware, in which it is desirable todiscontinue the pressure upon the plastic glass just when thelattercompletely fills the mold into which it is pressed% I at whichpoint the increasing resistance 0 the glass overcomes the holding powerof the clutch and forcibly separates its magnet and the armaturemembers, the latter, after each releasing operation being broughttogether again for the succeeding pressing operation. It will beunderstood that this invention may be employed for rotative movements,as g for instance in a rotary or oscillatory clutch,

as well as for the longitudinal reciprocating movements illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, which show an embodiment of the invention ina simple type of apparatus.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side elevation, showing simple elements ofa press in which, in this case, the press head or ram operates in adownward direction. Fig. 2 is also an elevation projected from a portionof Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the clutch of Fig. 1 in itsreleased condition. Fig.4 is an elevation showing a modified applicationof the invention to a press head of platen operated in an upwarddirection. It

' will be understood, however,that the movements may be directed ortranslated in any desired direction.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a column or frame 5supports a ram 6 for vertical sliding movement, the lower end of the rambeing provided with any well-known chuck or socket for-holding anydesired punch or plunger, or other'tooL'thus enabling differentimplementsto be sadistituted at will. A lever 7 pivoted at 8 to theframe, is connected to the ram in any approved way, the connection hereshown be ing a toothed rack and sectorpinion. "To-- ward the other endof the lever, it is pivot.

fitted'to slide freely upon the operatingrod 7 17, which in turnismounted to slide vertioally in the bosses 18 of the frame or columnv5. The operating rod 17 \is moved longitudinally to the extent and atthe time required for the operations of the ram fi, by means of a crankor cam, or other wellknown driving member. In the present instance, therod is driven by a cam 20 adjustably secured to the shaft 21 by means ofa set screw 22, and bearing against the friction roller 19 mounted inthe rod. At the upper end of the rod 17 "or at any desired portion ofits length is secured the magnet 11, by means of a nut 23 or othersuitable means. The magnet is electrically connected to its energizingcircuit, by means of flexible leads 24, to allow of the desired movementof the magnet. The magnet is here shown to be energized by a battery 25in the circuit 26, which is also preferably provided with a switch 27.In the circuit is also installed a rheostat 28, which may be adjusted tovary the strength of the ma net. Shunting the rheostat 28 is a circuit30 having brush terminals 32,through which the shunt circuit is closedby contacting with a moving conductor ,sector 33 carried by theinsulating disk 34 adjustably fixed on the cam shaft 21, or connected tosome other,

shaft driven in suitable relation therewith.

In cases wherein it is desirable to vary or adjust the seizing power ofthe magnet, or the rapidity of building it up to a given power, anotherrheostat 31 is included in the circuit, as shown in Fig. 1. The shuntcircuit 30 1s closed by the sector 33 just before the magnet picks up orengages with its armature, and the rheostat 31'is adjusted to suit thatoperation, while the other rheostat 28 is adjusted to suit the currentrequired through the circuit 26 to energize certainty. The sector 33closes the circuits a little in advance of the time when the magnetreaches the bottom of its stroke, and makes contact with its armature.After the magnet has firmly seized its armature and has started theparts in motion, the sector 33 leaves the brushes 32,-thus opening thecircuit 30, leaving the magnet 11 connected in the circuit 26, therheostat 28 of which is adjusted to allow the passage of currentsufiicient to produce in the magnet the ex act amount of holding powerwhich is to be overcome by the work done by the ram. As soon as the ram6 encounters 1n 1ts work a reslstance which overcomes the holding powerof the magnet, the latter pulls away from its armature, and completesthe stroke imparted by its cam 20, returning later to reengage thearmature as above described.

By this regulation of the magnet it may.

magnet 40 and its operating rod 41 are or may be similar to that shownin the preceding figures, and may be operated by the same or similarmechanism. The modification is mainly in the mounting and connection ofthe armature 42, which is here shown as part of a cross head or slide i3mounted upon rods 44, which may be employed as fixed guide rods, forguiding the movement of the cross head, or may be employed as connectingrods to which the armature is secured for transmitting. the movement ofthe armature to a more distant point. The upper portion of the slide 43is here shown to be provided with a seat or socket 45 for receiving anydesired form of chuck, plunger, platen, or other implement suited to thework to be done.

' In various ways within the knowledge of those skilled in this art,this invention may be modified to adapt it to different kinds of work orto different types of mechanism.

1 claim as my invention 1. The method of regulating thestrength of amagnetic clutch, which consists in varying the electrical energysupplied to the magnet in timed relation to the work of the clutch.

2. The method of regulating the strength of an electromagneticclutch, toadapt it to different loads, which consists in varying theelectricalenergy supplied to the magnet in timed relation to theoccurrence of the said loads.

3. The method of regulating the magnetic strength of 'an'electro-magnet,to adapt it to hold and release its armature at difierent loads, whichconsists. in varying the strength of the current supplied to the magnetin timed relation to and in strength proportioned to the respectiveloads.

4. The combination with an electro-mag-- netic clutch, of means forvarying the electrical energy supplied to the clutch magnet in timedrelation to the operations of the clutch.

5. The combination, with an electromagnetic clutch, of means forautomatically varying the electrical energ supplied to the magnet atdiflerent perio s in the operation of the magnet, and in timed relationto those operations.

6. The combination, with an electro-magnetic clutch, of means forautomatically varying the electrical energy supplied to the magnet forthe periods at which the magnet engages and releases its armature.

7. The combination, with an electro-magnetic clutch, of means forvarying the electrical energy supplied to the magnet in timed relat onto its armature engaging and releasing periods, and in strength adaptedto the working requirements of the magnet at those-periods. I 8. Thecombination, with an electro-magnetic clutch, of means for imparting asuccession of movements to one of the clutch members, and means forsupplying varying amounts of electrical energy to the magnet in timedrelation to the movements of the clutch member.

' 9. The combination, with an electromagnetic clutch, of means forimparting a succession of movements to one of the clutch members, andmeans for supplying varying amounts of electrical energy to the magnetmember between ,the successive operations of the clutch.

10. The combination, with an electro-magnetic'clutch, of means forimparting various amounts of electrical energy to the magnet member ofthe clutch, including an electric circuit, a rheostat in said circuit,an aux iliary circuit shunting the said rheostat, a second rheostat inthe auxiliary circuit, and automatic means for opening and closing theauxiliary circuit.

11. The combination, with an electromagnetic clutch, of means forimparting varying degrees ofelectrical energy to the clutch, includingan electrical circuit, a rheostat in said circuit, an auxiliary circuitshunting the said rheostat, a second rheostat in the auxiliary circuit,and automatic means for opening and closing the auxiliary circuit intimed relation to the operations of the clutch.

12. The combination, with an electro-mag: netic clutch, ofa camimparting a succession of movements to one of the members stat in thesaid circuit, an auxiliary circuit shunting the said rheostat, a secondrheostat in' the auxiliary circuit, and automatic means operating intimed relation to the said cam for opening and closing said aux-2 saidcircuit, an auxiliary circuit shunting the said rheostat, a secondrheostat in the said auxiliary circuit, and automatic means timed withthe said moving means for opening and closing the auxiliary circuit.

15. The combination, with a magnet and its armature, of means for movingone of these members toward and from the other, and means timed with thesaid movements for regulating the holding power of the magnet, giving itinitial strength for seizing the armature, and then changing the powerof the magnet to a predeterminedweleasing strength whereby the magnetand the armature are separated upon meeting a predeter mined resistanceto their united movement.

16. The combination, with a magnet and its armature, of means for movingthe magnet toward and from the armature, and means timed with saidmovements for imparting initial magnetic strength to the mag net forseizing the armature and for changing the strength of the magnet to apredetermined degree, whereby the magnet and armature are separated uponencountering a predetermined resistance to their united of the clutch,and means for! varying the.

magnetic strength of the clutch during the said movements, including anelectrical circuit connected with the magnet member, a rheostat in thesaid circuit, an auxiliary circuit shunting the said rheostat, andautomatic means for periodically interrupting and restoring electricalcommunication in one of said circuits. p

13. The combination with an electro-mag netic clutch, of a cam impartinga succession of movements to one of the members magnetic strength of theclutch during said movement. J i

17 The combmatlon of a magnet and its armature mounted for movement in adirection normal to their meeting surfaces, means for moving one of saidparts in said direc tion, and means timed with the said movement forregulating the holding power of the magnet, increasing it to cause thesaid parts to seize and move together, and dimiir ishing it during saidmovement, whereby the parts are separated upon encountering apredetermined resistance.

18. The combination of a magnetand its armature mounted for movement ina direction normal to their meeting surfaces, means for moving themagnet in the said direction toward an'dfrom the armature, and meanstimed with the'said movements of the mag- Ii net for increasing themagnetic holding 1 power of the magnet to cause the armature movements,including an electrical circuit' connected with the magnet member, .arheoto seize and follow the magnet in its move ment, and for lesseningthat magnetic strength to a predetermined extent to allow' the parts toseparate upon encountering a predetermined resistance.

19. The combination oi? a'magnet and an g memes armature mounted formovementin a direcholding strength to a predetermined degree, tionnormal to their meeting surfaces, means whereby the armature isseparated from the 10 for reciprocating the magnet toward and magnetupon encountering a predetermined from the armature, and means timedWith resistance to its movement.

the said reciprocating means for increasing Signed at Hartford,Connecticut, this 13th the magneticstrength of the magnet to cause dayof December, 1915.

it to seize thearmature When these parts are broughttogether, and. fordiminishing that KARL E. PEILER.

